Bryan Namoff suspends playing career

D.C. United defender Bryan Namoff, who hasn't played since suffering a concussion in a game last September, has suspended his playing career, the team announced today.

Namoff, 31, will join the front office as special projects manager, where he will assist general manager Dave Kasper with scouting, youth development and camp programing, the team said.

Namoff has been United's starting right back for years, and is in third place all-time in the club's record book with 195 games played.

He is the third prominent United player forced out by concussion in recent years. Alecko Eskandarian and Josh Gros were the other two. Eskandarian returned following a lengthy recovery, but was never the same player and did not return to the game this season; Gros never played again and is now retired.

Sad to hear. Bryan always played with heart. I remember going on a road trip to see United play the Fire a few years ago and having the Namoff family coming over to our tailgate and introducing themselves. Very nice people.

Is there something about the style of play in MLS that leads to more concussions? Is MLS being more cautious than other leagues in holding players back from the pitch? Or is it the admittedly lower quality of player on an MLS roster in relation to top flight leagues that leads to a bit more recklessness in challenges and headers?

sad to hear this but it was pretty much expected. glad he will still be working with united. one note for anyone that those few that might not know - josh gros has ended up working in the front office of the philly union.